Administration on alert for very heavy rain forecast in Navsari, Dang and Valsad

Surat: Looking at the forecast for very heavy rain in the next 48 hours, authorities in Navsari , Valsad and Dang are on high alert. Small causeways in the hilly areas over rivulets in Dang are already flowing full. Fearing flood-like suituation from more rains, Dang administration has posted men at eight causeways in the district to ensure that no mishaps occur due to callousness.

Talking to TOI, Dang district collector NK Damor said, “With forecast of very heavy rains, even personnel from state highway and National Highway authorities are on standby with required machinery. Incidents of landslides or uprooting of trees on roads could lead to major jams and to avoid people from suffering huge losses, we have kept people at every 10km to guide tourists and commuters.”

He further said that the region has nine small causeways, with three in Ahwa, four in Wagai and two in Subir taluka which will overflow if another spell of heavy rains occur as they are already flowing full. “In such a situation, water in rivers like Ambika, Kaveri, Khapri and even Purna could swell leading to flooding in down-stream areas of Navsari district,” Damor added.

Navsari district authorities too have issued alert and asked staff not to leave headquarters. People living in the riverbanks have been asked not to venture near river and all the liaison officials have been kept on alert to take care of their region.

Valsad district administration too has cancelled all leaves following the forecast of heavy rainsand sounded a general alert. A team of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) is kept at standby and will be used as required, sources said.

In Valsad major problems could be caused by rivers that either originates or flows from edge of Maharastra and Kaprada taluka. All these rivers like Damanganga, Auranga, Kolak, Par, Tan and Maan could swell over night causing flooding in areas of Kaprada, Dharampur, Pardi, Vapi and Valsad talukas.

Valsad District collector CR Kharsan said, “Our rivers come from hilly region and once there is heavy rains in Maharashtra border we have to be keep an eye on flooding. Luckily, we haven’t had any major rains in the district during the last 12 hours of Sunday and situation is normal till now.”

Till now, Kaprada has recorded 54mm rainfall, Saputara 29mm and Subir of Dang district received 25mm rain.